Columbus Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella painted a graphic picture in detailing why star forward Artemi Panarin was unable to play in the team's last game.

Presumably over his illness, Panarin was spotted at Thursday's practice and is expected to play in his 300th NHL contest the following night as the Blue Jackets bid to end a two-game skid against the host Ottawa Senators.

Panarin, whose name is a popular one as the NHL trade deadline draws near, leads the team in assists (43) and points (67). The 27-year-old Russian has scored four goals and set up three others in a four-game stretch before being held off the scoresheet in Monday's 5-1 setback versus Tampa Bay.